Branch Reports

WA Branch Report

Source: Steve Algie

Along with most of the business world, the Western Australia Branch Council has quickly adapted to the shift to Zoom online meetings. We held our April and May 2020 meetings using this platform, and found the virtual meeting format very effective.

The only problem was that the worldwide shortage of webcams meant that a couple of Councillors had to make do with limited technology. This problem served as a reminder of the supply challenges that will be confronting many businesses in our industry over coming months. We recognise that these are difficult times, and we are doing what we can to keep the supply of technical information flowing to members. We have rescheduled our planned one-day seminar in Bunbury to 22 October 2020, in the expectation that most restrictions on gatherings will have been lifted. We have had great responses from speakers and sponsors, and all have agreed to continue their support. The main disruption to our technical program has been the inability to proceed with site visits. We had three site visits planned this year and it seems unlikely that any of these will proceed. To compensate, we have sought to substitute the visits with technical presentations. We may be able to return to in-person meetings, with appropriate social distancing (and no finger food!). However, our immediate plan is focused on online meetings using Zoom. Registering for Zoom meetings is quite straightforward: register using the TryBooking app, after which we will email you a link to the meeting. Our first Zoom technical meeting was held on Monday 8 June 2020, preceded by our Branch AGM. The topic was ‘Materials characterisation: an integral part of advanced manufacturing and 3D printing’, presented by Dr Zakaria Quadir of Curtin University.

Source: Associate Prof Sophie Primig, University of New South Wales

Given the current climate, and various social distancing measures that are in place, the New South Wales (NSW) Branch has moved its events to an online teleconferencing format. We have several exciting events planned over the next couple of months, and encourage all members to attend.

On Tuesday 9 June 2020, the NSW Branch and the Australian Ceramics Society held a free is holding a free Careers Path Seminar via Zoom. Our five speakers described their career paths, including how they got to where they are, what they love about their job, and what elements of their careers have been more difficult. This was followed. by a Q&A session. Speakers included Professor Vanessa Peterson (Senior Principal Research and Neutron Scientist, ANSTO), Dr Alan Xu (Materials Engineer, ANSTO), Dr Rui Hoo (Research Development Manager for Strategic Initiatives, University of Sydney), Dr Sarah Grundy (Education Focussed Academic, UNW) and Dr Kenny Cheung (Materials Engineer, Pallion). In August, we plan to hold a webinar on the topic of Metallurgy for Non Metallurgists. The presenters include Professor Madeleine du Toit (University of Wollongong), Professor Huijun Li (University of Wollongong), and Dr Nima Haghdadi (UNSW). Metals and alloys are used in the largest variety of applications of all engineering materials. As such, it is essential for those involved in manufacturing, engineering and construction to have an understanding of what metals (ferrous and non-ferrous) are, how they behave, and why they behave differently to ceramics, glass, and plastics. It is also important to understand how metals and alloys can be made stronger, how they can be shaped by casting, forging, forming, and how these processes, along with heat treatment, can alter properties. This course provides important basic knowledge to those who are not metallurgists. To register for these events, visit: https:// www.materialsaustralia.com.au/events/ branch-events/nsw

Register Now Metallurgy for Non-Metallurgists Topics may include: Introduction to Metals & Alloys Solidification of Metals Metal Forming Mechanical Properties Strengthening Mechanisms Heat Treatment WEBINAR - Training Workshop Strengthening Steels & Cast Iron Materials Characterization & Selection 12-14 August 2020 | 12.30 pm - 5.00 pm Failure Analysis